Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Middletown
Ohio waste management services operate on weekly zone-based schedules. Exact pickup days vary based on your local municipality or private franchise hauler.
State Mandate
Ohio EPA regulations prohibit the disposal of whole scrap tires in standard landfills.
Brown or Green Bin (Trash)
Place bins at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day. Lids must be closed, and containers should not exceed 50 lbs if using personal cans.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small, safely wrapped broken glass
Green (often with a Green or Yellow Lid) Bin (Recycling)
Items must be clean, empty, and placed loosely in the cart without plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper and junk mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Medical sharps
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Brush must be bundled, tied with twine, cut under 4 feet, and weigh less than 50 lbs. Leaves and grass must be bagged.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Shrub trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on regular collection day (with advance notice)
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb alongside your regular trash bins by 6:00 AM. Ensure they are not blocking traffic or sidewalks.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped)
- ✓ Non-Freon appliances
- ✓ Large toys
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Lead-acid batteries
- ✕ Wet paint
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Construction debris
A fee may apply for excessive amounts of bulk trash or specific items like appliances containing Freon, which require specialized handling.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Friday routes will be collected on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same holiday delay schedule as standard refuse.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is generally no disruption to the Monday-Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Never bag your recyclables. Thin plastic grocery bags get caught in the gears of the local recycling center's sorting machines, causing dangerous delays and equipment damage. Take bags to local grocery store drop-offs instead.
Leave the Lids On
When recycling plastic bottles and jugs, empty out any residual liquid, give the container a quick rinse, and screw the plastic cap back on before tossing it in the bin. Loose caps often fall through the sorting grates.
Keep Tanglers Out
Garden hoses, electrical cords, and holiday lights are strictly prohibited in your recycling cart. These 'tanglers' wrap around the automated machinery and create severe hazards for the waste workers.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - DecemberMiddletown offers an annual leaf pickup program. Residents should rake leaves to the curb (not into the street) just before their scheduled sector pickup date to prevent storm drain blockages.
Winter
December - FebruaryDuring heavy Ohio snowstorms, collection times may be delayed. Ensure your bins are placed in a cleared area at the end of your driveway and are not buried behind snowbanks where trucks cannot reach them.
Post-Holidays
JanuaryReal Christmas trees can be placed curbside for collection after the holidays. Please remove all tinsel, lights, ornaments, and the tree stand. Do not place trees in plastic bags.
About Middletown Waste Management
Navigating Middletown's Waste Collection Services
For residents living in Middletown, Ohio, managing household waste is streamlined through a partnership with Rumpke Waste & Recycling. Trash collection operates on a weekly schedule. To ensure seamless service, residents are required to place their city-issued or Rumpke-approved containers at the curb no later than 6:00 AM on their designated collection morning, but not before 5:00 PM the evening prior.
Curbside Recycling Guidelines in Butler and Warren Counties
Middletown strongly encourages household recycling to divert usable materials from local Ohio landfills. The single-stream recycling program means all approved recyclables—including cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, and glass jars—can be co-mingled in your recycling cart. Be sure to loosely place your items in the cart rather than bagging them, as plastic bags jam the processing equipment at Rumpke’s regional sorting facilities.
Handling Large Items and Bulk Waste
Disposing of heavy household items like old furniture, broken appliances, or excessive household debris requires a bit of planning in Middletown. While Rumpke will collect large bulk items on your regular service day, residents must contact the hauler at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the pickup. Additionally, health and safety regulations mandate that all mattresses and upholstered furniture must be completely wrapped in plastic before they can be loaded onto the collection trucks.
Yard Waste and Seasonal Maintenance
Maintaining properties throughout the shifting Midwest seasons generates considerable yard waste. In Middletown, brush, twigs, and leaves can be collected with standard weekly refuse. However, limbs must be cut to lengths of four feet or less, bundled securely with twine, and weigh no more than 50 pounds. During the autumn months, the city also typically provides targeted leaf collection services to keep the streets and storm drains clear.
Drop-off Facilities
Butler County Recycling & Solid Waste District
130 High St, Hamilton, OH 45011
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away an old mattress in Middletown?
To throw away a mattress or box spring, you must completely wrap it in plastic and seal it with tape. Contact Rumpke at least 24 hours before your regular collection day to inform them you will have a bulk item at the curb.
What should I do if my trash was missed this week?
If your bins were at the curb by 6:00 AM and were missed, wait until the late afternoon, as route times can fluctuate. If they are still unemptied, call Rumpke customer service or the Middletown Public Works department to report the missed pickup.
Can I put wet paint in my curbside trash can?
No, liquid paint is strictly prohibited. To dispose of latex paint, you must dry it out completely by mixing it with cat litter or paint hardener until it is solid. Once completely hardened, leave the lid off and place the can in your regular trash.
Does Middletown provide special containers for recycling?
Yes, eligible residents are typically provided with a recycling cart through the city's contract with Rumpke. If you need a new bin or an additional container, you should contact Rumpke Waste & Recycling directly to arrange for delivery.